Tag Archives: Running Gear

The following post is sponsored by FitfFluential LLC on behalf of Mizuno.

———————————————–

Once again, I’m past the point where I’ve exhausted my current pair of running shoes and their usual mileage quota. My feet are desperately looking up at me like, “C’mon, we go through this EVERY.TIME…”! They’ve put up with a lot over the past 4 months, between the miles, the trails and the hat-trick racing adventures!

When Mizuno introduced their soon-to-be-released Wave Rider 17 to FitFluential, I put my name in the hat to review and test them out! I love my Wave Sayonaras, and continuously put in an effort to break away from my tried-and-true Nike Pegasus (because I think it’s good to branch out with shoes, not because they’ve done me wrong).

Low and behold, the WaveRider (a favorite of my run-buddy, Kate) has spread its charm. I have two very happy feet, with this light neutral shoe!

I’d like to introduce you…

First time on the run with the WaveRider17, and first time making a video of the action!

If you’re not much of a video-watcher, here are a few snapshots of the purple pavement pounders:

This shoe has comfortably eased its way into my rotation and is about to tackle a few high-mileage months of marathon training (to begin in January)! I’m pumped to have them on-board.

After briefly grieving the loss of my trusted training partner, G (aka Garmin 405), last summer, I unexpectedly fell into the technology-free running zone. After running with a GPS strapped to my wrist religiously for three years, it felt completely unnerving refreshing to run without stressing about stopping a watch right at the red light or hearing a beep every ~8 minutes (on a good day) or looking down every 10 seconds (on a bad day) to see the tenths of a mile tick so slowly by.

Fast-forward 12+ months and I’m so used to running watch/tech-free that it feels more normal than not to be completely clueless. I may check the clock before I head out and again when I get back, map out the distances so I know how far I went (at least according to the accuracy of MapMyRun) and get a time-check from Kate if she’s with me. It works. I haven’t lost speed or endurance – or at least not thanks to running watch-less – and I’ve probably gained a few notches of sanity.

All of that to say, when a Polar HR rep asked me if I’d like to try one of their new products, I paused. Do I want another GPS watch? Do I really want to battle with the HRM? Do I really care about the stats?

Sure, why not. We’ll see how it goes. No, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t fun to have here n’ there.

The Heart-Rate monitor and I are feeling it out. I’ve worn it a few times, and used it to stay in a Zone (2?) for a long, slow-and-steady run two weeks ago. I’ve tested out the “Other activity” feature to see how these morning boot-camps are adding up. It’s an interesting data feed to keep up with!

I am a big fan of the recaps (read: data) the watch provides. If you’re a stat-nerd (embrace it), this watch should be on your wish-list. My mind isn’t quite there yet, but even I can appreciate having the numbers at-hand should I decide to pick them apart. And when I’m ready to go for another marathon, half-marathon or sprinting PR, there’s no doubt in my mind that this training tool will work its wonders.

As a member of their blogging team, I recently received a pair of Altra ZeroDrop Intuition’s to test out. It’s definitely been a year of new footwear!

These zero-drop shoes are flat, light and totally different than anything my feet have slipped into before. I’m breaking them in with my standing-desk at work, and taking them out for a running adventure soon! Any tips for a first-time minimalist tester? Happy to learn from the experienced – all ears!

—-

Speaking of running adventures….

Thanks to our new office location and a new car-less lifestyle, my plan-for-the-day skills have had to simplify everyday commuting. I often rely on my love for the DC bike-share, metro and/or bus system (and, of course the wonder that is Uber). But, our office also happens to be a perfect-evening-run 6 miles away from my ‘hood. And this running-commute is made possible thanks to lululemon pockets (all over crops, tights & running shorts alike) and this:

Fitness contest update: the official judging has begun. If I hear anything by tomorrow, it will be good news (semi-finalist). I’ll keep you posted! I can’t say “thank you” enough – you’re amazing and I’m so lucky to have your support!

—–

In other news, we have a bi-weekly run club at the Wellness Corporate Solutions (WCS) office – every Monday and Thursday a crew goes out for a few miles along the C&O canal right after work. It started last Spring as the nights were getting light again and it was pretty clear that leaving at 5pm would just land you in traffic. Why not stay at work for an extra 30-40 minutes, get your workout in and miss out on the rush-hour headache? Brilliant. Done!

When a local Under Armour rep reached out to see if there was any interest in trying out some of their new gear, I turned to this stylish run-crew and offered it up. Each person selected their own UA “gift” and has provided a review! Today, we start with the guys, Jared* and Ari.

I wore the Men’s Coldblack T-Shirt to the gym this week for an early morning workout. It felt great when I put it on. The fit was slim and well matched to my frame size around the chest, arms and shoulders, but the shirt was a bit long for an exercise piece. The material was light-weight and stretchy, yet felt very durable which made it quite satisfying to wear. I started my workout with a one mile to warm-up on the treadmill. The length got in the way a bit here as the shirt grabbed around my butt, preventing it from moving freely with my running stride. I proceed with a circuit workout of Olympic lifts (deadlifts and overhead squats) during which the shirt performed perfectly. The length may have even helped me when raising my arms above my head. The fabric kept me cool and felt appropriate to the activity.

All in all, I really liked the Men’s Coldblack Shortsleeve T-Shirt, and with a potential alteration to the length, I will happily keep it in the rotation. Or I’ll just save it for days when I’m not running.

I used to love running, but then I moved and joined a gym. Don’t get me wrong, the gym is beautiful, and offers classes, weights, fancy machines, all that jazz, but now that I pay to belong to a gym, I want to get my money’s worth, which means a lot less running outside. It only took a few months going to the new gym before I started to hate running. There was something about those treadmills that irked me. I would do classes on a bike, use the elliptical, but with the treadmills it was like forcing a kid to eat his broccoli.

Then something changed.

Yesterday I got home from work and had a brand new pair of Under Armor sneakers waiting for me {Under Armour’s Spine RPM Running Shoes}. They looked awesome, but it wasn’t until I put my feet in them that something in me changed. The fit was like Cinderella trying on her glass slipper – perfect.

I decided at that moment I was going to see if these made the treadmill any better. And you know what, they did. I felt like a gazelle. The support was awesome and I was enjoying running again.

Obviously I look forward to using these outside sometime, but for now I’m actually excited to get back on a treadmill. Oh and I look awesome in them, too.

—-

Full Disclaimer: UA did not provide any compensation for these posts; the reviews are unbiased and straight from the source(s). The gear was provided to the reviewers free of charge.